Real Food for the Holidays

My husband and I have been on a real-food journey for almost a year. It’s drastically changed the way I cook and the way I look at food. I still love cooking, eating, and sharing meals with family and friends. But the ingredients I use and the food I make are better for us.

However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t taste good! Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it. Here’s a (mostly) real-food version of cinnamon rolls. “Everything in moderation” is my motto when it comes to food, and although 90% of what I cook and eat is real, whole food, there’s nothing wrong with some cream cheese frosting every now and then! If you’ve always thought cinnamon rolls were hard to make, think again. This recipe doesn’t require letting the dough rise, and it looks much more involved than it really is!

2) Stir in enough remaining all-purpose flour (or more white whole wheat flour) to form a soft dough (dough should leave the sides of the bowl, but still be moist). Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Let rest 10 minutes.

To make thicker (taller) rolls, cut into 12 instead of 16. This photo shows 16, but I usually make 12.

4) Bake in a greased 9×13 pan for about 17 minutes (watch for doneness). Rolls should be golden-brown. Immediately top with frosting of choice (in order to let frosting melt into rolls), or use recipe below. (To make rolls ahead, simply put pan in refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed in the morning.) I used to make these rolls on a large jellyroll pan (as shown in the top picture), but I’ve found the best way to make them is in a glass 9×13 pan so they rise higher and are softer on the sides. Either way works!

These rolls would make a phenomenal Christmas morning breakfast! Make the rolls on Christmas Eve but don’t bake them. Cover the pan, refrigerate overnight, and bake and frost in the morning. Then for Christmas dinner (or New Year’s), pop this easy roast in the slow-cooker and everyone will think you’ve spent hours in the kitchen–when it really takes just a few minutes to prepare! The time you save on cooking you can spend with your family.

2) Rub meat with olive oil. In small bowl combine herbes de Provence, salt and pepper; use fingers to rub and crush to release the oils in the herbs. Or, if you have it, use a mortar and pestle to do this. Massage the herbs into the meat on all sides, covering thoroughly.

3) Place onion, celery, and carrots in bottom of slow cooker.

4) In pre-heated pan, sear meat on all sides. Watch carefully to prevent burning. You are not looking to cook the meat entirely; this step is just to brown the
outside and cook the herbs into the meat. To keep the meat steady, use two sturdy spoons or spatulas to hold and turn the meat in the pan.

5) Place meat on vegetables in slow-cooker. Use a sharp knife to poke several slits in the roast, about 1/2-inch deep. Insert garlic slices into slits. Pour water over meat and vegetables. Cook on high for four hours, or until meat reaches internal temperature of at least 180 degrees F. You may cook it longer; the meat will remain tender and juicy, and will simply fall apart to a “shredded” consistency if it’s in the slow-cooker longer.

6) Remove cooked meat from slow-cooker to slice or shred. Vegetables in slow cooker should be discarded unless you want them for another purpose. The resulting broth can be saved and used in a soup or other dish if desired.Tip: The meat can be eaten as-is for the main dish of a meal. It can also be used for sandwiches, and is delicious with barbecue sauce mixed in.

Holiday cooking doesn’t have to mean unhealthy cooking. These recipes are great crowd-pleasers and will help make your holidays simpler, yummier, and better for you!

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/12/7648/feed/57648This Is The Dayhttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/this-is-the-day/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/this-is-the-day/#commentsSat, 19 Oct 2013 03:59:58 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7452Not unlike many women, I wear many hats. I’m a wife, mother, self-employed small business owner, and military spouse. I often think about how easy life was when I thought it was hard, as a young professional in my twenties. I was essentially in command of my schedule consisting of long days but also a ... Continue Reading...]]>

Not unlike many women, I wear many hats. I’m a wife, mother, self-employed small business owner, and military spouse. I often think about how easy life was when I thought it was hard, as a young professional in my twenties. I was essentially in command of my schedule consisting of long days but also a lot of personal time and fun. What I thought were distractions were really quite manageable. The demands of today are challenging in a different way.

This season of my life requires real selflessness, intentionality and focus and all three are hard to achieve in any given day.

Many of you probably have spouses who travel a fair amount and can relate to being everything to everyone all the time. Being married to a Marine means a lot of time apart as a “solo parent.” I’ll admit, after five deployments, 2 ½ of those with children, I was becoming a little bitter and increasingly weary. I didn’t feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. Most days even felt like drudgery, especially when the day was hijacked as early as 8 am by someone or something else. I counted down the days to my husband’s return actually believing it was the solution to my discontent. I knew if I was going to make it through this last extended deployment with my sanity intact, I needed to change my approach. It was then, in a quiet time of desperation and prayer, that God gave me eyes to see a solution in the pages of my bible. This verse, I had seen many times throughout my life, I saw with fresh eyes that day.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

From that day forward, I committed to apply this truth to my days. I would focus on today, the gift that it is, and not take on the worries of tomorrow. I planned for each day, carefully considering my priorities. I kept it short and intentionally incorporated fun into our plan. If I missed the mark on something, I extended enough grace to myself to move it to another day. While this shift in thinking didn’t change my circumstances, it did provide the perspective I needed to not lose my hope in both the mundane and difficult days. I stressed less and enjoyed life more. I accomplished more, even though I spent more time doing things like playing with my kids, taking them to the beach or the pool, or watching a movie with them. It was like recharging my life with joy gave me more motivation and focus for the things I needed and wanted to do. I started and finished several books, a treasured hobby I thought was lost forever. I tackled a Christmas business project with much success. I spent more quality time with loved ones. Perhaps as important, in retrospect, I didn’t make my husband responsible for my “happy” or to solve my attitude problem.

God’s clear direction in this area served me well this past year. I believe He gave me that message in preparation for several larger storms that came my way. If I had not been able to take life “one day at a time” during the smaller storms, I would not have handled the bigger ones as gracefully and had the fortitude to persevere during challenging days. I still struggle, but I have more joyful and peaceful days resting in the fact that I’m exactly where I need to be today and knowing who takes care of my tomorrows. That is reason enough to have a great day!

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/this-is-the-day/feed/77452Two-For-One Lessons to Grow Your Faithhttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/lessons-to-grow-your-faith/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/lessons-to-grow-your-faith/#commentsThu, 17 Oct 2013 01:09:36 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7422Two-For-One Lessons to Grow Your Faith There are moments when it seems like everything you know about faith is turned on its head. You know those moments I’m referring to, don’t you? A loved one reveals a character flaw that takes you by surprise; a friend lets you down so big that you’re not ... Continue Reading...]]>

Two-For-One Lessons to Grow Your Faith

There are moments when it seems like everything you know about faith is turned on its head. You know those moments I’m referring to, don’t you? A loved one reveals a character flaw that takes you by surprise; a friend lets you down so big that you’re not sure if friendship is something you ever want to pursue again; or, your child gets a diagnosis that no fever-reducing medicine can touch. We can all probably add to this list from our many life circumstances.

While I’ve certainly encountered my share of big reveals, back-biting, and bedside vigils, I’ve learned a few lessons along the way in this faith journey, of mine. I’d like to share them with you in the hopes that it will help bring you some comforting perspective as you travel along on your own path to deeper faith.

Lesson #1

Clear your vision. I don’t know about you, but I seem to have a knack for pointing out others’ flaws, while completely ignoring my own. For example, sometimes, the man who sleeps next to me will do or say something that reminds me that he is on his own faith journey; and it is so different than mine! On those occasions when I feel like I can see his road ahead far more clearly than he can, it does me a world of good to remember the wisdom found in Luke 6:42. “How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?” And all too often, when I get busy clearing my own vision, I find that my husband (or family member) has done the very same thing; all without my help. Imagine that! That’s two for the price of one, right there. Oh yes it is.

Lesson #2

Get physical (sort of). In exercise, the experts sometimes talk about a “twofer” – one exercise that hits two different muscle groups. I find that same kind of double benefit when I extend grace to a friend who, by my human way of thinking, doesn’t really deserve it. I’m talking about flexing that Grace Muscle, here. For me, that looks like saying, “We all get confused once in a while.”, when a friend completely misses our coffee date and leaves me hanging out with my scone and coffee for companionship. When I give grace a good workout each day, it becomes easier to do. And, as an added benefit, my faith is increased. I can see, so much more clearly, how often others are giving it to me, too. See? A twofer!

Lesson #3

Give it up. Research has proven the medical benefits of prayer. While not many can grasp why that is true, they acknowledge that it is true. I’m learning that anytime I receive news of a diagnosis that is beyond my comprehension, the first most helpful thing I can do is pray. My faith soars when I get still and just give the situation, the person, the diagnosis, all of it, up to God. I always feel a lightening in my soul when I do. I can look back on many a situation and see that praying increased my faith. And it boosts my own health, too! Who couldn’t use more of that kind of two-for-one deal?

These lessons often need repeating. And that’s okay. I’m finding that the more opportunities I have to practice growing my faith, the more I see it happening. And that’s the kind of double benefit that this girl is longing for. How about you?

Missy is a Southern Yankee who loves her husband, children, and devil dogs – in that order. She writes anonymously about the mishaps a’plenty and grace galore over at www.missindeedy.com .

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/lessons-to-grow-your-faith/feed/17422The 72 Hour Club: From Great to Even Betterhttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/the-72-hour-club-from-great-to-even-better/
Tue, 15 Oct 2013 04:00:11 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7441 I first heard about the 72 Hour Club through Fancy Little Things on Facebook. Curious, I clicked around until I found the description. I thought it sounded like a great idea, but I thought to myself, “I don’t need to worry about that. We have a great sex life.” At the time, my ... Continue Reading...]]>

I first heard about the 72 Hour Club through Fancy Little Things on Facebook. Curious, I clicked around until I found the description. I thought it sounded like a great idea, but I thought to myself, “I don’t need to worry about that. We have a great sex life.”

At the time, my husband was an electrical engineer with the Air Force and I was a stay-at-home mom to our only child, who is now 10 months old. We had a great relationship, one marked with complete openness and honesty, especially in our sex life. We both shared an attitude of willingness to work on areas of our relationship where we were feeling unsatisfied.

Our lives were not too busy. We went to church and a small group every week. We were trying to save money and get out of debt, so we stayed home a lot and hung out with each other. Finding time to be intimate wasn’t really an issue.

Or so I thought.

Inspired by the 72 Hour Club, I started paying more attention to how long it had been since we had been intimate and I realized that we were not intimate nearly as often as I thought we were. Even though we weren’t super busy, my husband usually wouldn’t try to initiate intimacy until we were in bed, when I was usually tired and I really didn’t want to do anything. Being open and honest, I would tell him I was tired and didn’t feel like it, and we would go longer between encounters.

I was definitely surprised to realize this and decided to be intentional about changing it.

My 72 Hour Club journey hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would be, but it has changed my perspective. I don’t say “no” to my husband as often as I did before. Instead, if I’m tired, I just tell him that he’s going to have to work to get me in the mood, and he is more than willing to oblige. I have tried to be more intentional about initiating intimacy more. I dress myself up (or down J) and tell him ahead of time that I have something special planned for when our son goes down for a nap (because I have far more energy midday!). He gets excited, we make time for it, and everyone is happy.

The biggest thing I have learned from being a part of this club is that I can’t just let myself fall into a lazy routine. I need to be purposeful about being receptive to his needs and satisfying them (even when that is more often than every 72 hours). I don’t want him to always have to be initiating. I want him to know that I desire him, and I want to keep our marriage, including our sex life, alive and vibrant.

I have also learned that I cannot be complacent about our marriage. I might think everything is coasting along just fine, but coasting is not what God wants for our marriages. He doesn’t want us to be merely making it from one day to the next. He wants our lives to abound – to abound in love, life, and happiness. One vital way to make our marriages abound is to take good care of our sex lives.

I think that we as wives often underestimate this aspect of our marriages. A wife might feel that her husband does not deserve intimacy unless he steps up his game and earns it, but this mindset is wrong. Husbands do not need to earn sexual intimacy from their wives, just like wives should not need to earn emotional intimacy from their husbands.

If you are unsatisfied with your marriage, take the 72 Hour Club challenge.

If you are perfectly satisfied with your marriage and you don’t think it could get any better, take the 72 Hour Club challenge.

You may be surprised at how much your marriage can improve, just like I was.

Julie Orfield is a stay-at-home wife to an Air Force veteran and mother to a bubbly, bouncy 10-month-old boy. She and her family currently reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has always had a passion for writing. Her first calling and passion is as a wife and mother, and she enjoys writing, reading, and crafting. Visit her personal blog at He’s Not Finished with Me Yet.

]]>74415 Ways To Support Adoptive Parentshttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/5-ways-to-support-adoptive-parents/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/5-ways-to-support-adoptive-parents/#respondWed, 09 Oct 2013 03:59:00 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7425As a family who is currently in the midst of the journey that is international adoption, we are blessed to find many people rising up and rallying with us for the cause of our adoption. With so many people interested in helping, I’ve fielded a lot of “How can we help?” questions and I thought ... Continue Reading...]]>

As a family who is currently in the midst of the journey that is international adoption, we are blessed to find many people rising up and rallying with us for the cause of our adoption.

With so many people interested in helping, I’ve fielded a lot of “How can we help?” questions and I thought I’d share some helpful tips here! Also note that many of these tips could help in any fundraising effort, not just adoption.

1) DONATE.

I think this one is pretty obvious. Monetary donations towards an adoption are, of course, extremely helpful. Keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be a straight donation. Attend a fundraiser spaghetti dinner or buy a raffle ticket to a fundraiser raffle.

2) BUY SUPPLIES.

We’ve had some people who really want to donate something tangible and needed right now. For us, people who have donated mail supplies (stamps, envelopes, etc.) have been extremely helpful. We’re ALWAYS sending out paperwork and the cost of mailing supplies is not something most people consider in adoption costs. We also hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and had a family from our church donate all of the spaghetti sauce for the dinner. Helping buy tangible items saves the family from taking those purchases out of their savings.

3) HOST A FUNDRAISER.

Maybe your family own’s a restaurant and can donate a portion of a night’s profits or maybe you’re a Scentsy consultant and can host a sale on your website. Every little bit helps. Seriously.

4) SPREAD THE WORD.

Share all of the family’s fundraising opportunities! Post it on Facebook, Twitter, email it out to friends, ask to put it in your church’s bulletin, etc. Spreading the word on fundraisers helps draw in people outside of the family’s “normal circle.”

5) PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.

It sounds easy and cliche, but prayer is the most powerful tool we have in stressful situations like adoption. Knowing our family and friends are covering us in prayer is such a great feeling.

Can you think of any other ways to help a fundraising cause?

Have any cool fundraiser ideas? I’m always interested in those!

Carly is a tattooed mama living in the great state of Texas with her firefighter husband, Cody, and her 1.5 year old son, Gunner. They are currently in the process of adopting a little boy from Africa. She’s a free spirit trapped in a type A personality, and is constantly struggling to find the balance between the two. When she’s not home with her son and husband, you can find her browsing thrift stores and chatting over a cup of coffee with friends.

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/5-ways-to-support-adoptive-parents/feed/07425Booties – Fall Fashion Trendhttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/booties-fall-fashion-trend/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/booties-fall-fashion-trend/#commentsFri, 04 Oct 2013 04:00:22 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7404Right to Left: Clarks, Sole Society, Toms Booties are trending BIG this fall. I know they’ve been around for a few years, but I’ve been hesitant to buy into this trend. I admire them on other people, but always think they’ll look like giant cement blocks on my feet, hooves if you will. This fall, ... Continue Reading...]]>

I know they’ve been around for a few years, but I’ve been hesitant to buy into this trend. I admire them on other people, but always think they’ll look like giant cement blocks on my feet, hooves if you will.

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/booties-fall-fashion-trend/feed/47404You Are More Than Enoughhttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/you-are-more-than-enough/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/you-are-more-than-enough/#commentsThu, 03 Oct 2013 04:00:32 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7408Sometimes I feel like I am not good enough, talented enough, strong enough, smart enough, mom enough, wife enough, providing enough, valuable enough… Do you ever feel this way? Over the years I have realized getting to a place of confidence and true self-worth is a journey. It literally starts at birth. The way we ... Continue Reading...]]>

Over the years I have realized getting to a place of confidence and true self-worth is a journey. It literally starts at birth. The way we are raised plays a huge role in who we become as adults. The types of kids we hang around in school is another contributing factor to who we become.

There are many mile markers along the way that play a part…

But at the end of the day, feeling like you are enough and that you matter is something that comes from a place deep inside that says, “Forget what the world is trying to tell me… God tells me that I am loved and that I am valuable!”

God’s Word reminds me that I am more than enough!

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

As a young girl I struggled with self-esteem issues during the dreaded middle school years I used to dream of the day that I would feel good about myself. I remember admiring the older, seemingly perfect high school girls thinking, “When I get to be their age everything will be better. I will be strong, confident and beautiful!”

Well…when I did finally get to be their age I realized the grass wasn’t all that much greener…

The older I’ve gotten the more I’ve grown into myself. I have become a strong, confident woman but there are still times, especially when faced with a new task or challenge, that I can hear “middle-school-me” crying out from the deepest place inside, “Are you sure you can do this?”… “Look at what everyone else is doing… they are more successful… they are more beautiful…they are more talented than you are…they have more experience…” And for a moment I believe her… for a moment I find myself entertaining the idea that I might not be good enough or able enough to complete the task at hand… I listen for a moment to that little voice inside and feelings of discouragement begin to bubble at the surface…

But just for a moment…

Because the instant I realize who I am listening to I pick myself up and remember what I know to be true based on God’s promises:

I am beautiful…

I do matter…

I am talented…

I am a strong, confident woman…

I am enough…

Because I am a child of the living God…

I am his precious daughter whom He created for a very special purpose. One that only I can fulfill! And while I can’t be sure if that pesky little voice inside will ever completely go away what I can be absolutely certain of is that God’s voice is much louder! His voice carries much more weight than that of the fragile insecurities resting deep inside of me.

So when you find yourself looking to the right or the left, comparing yourself with others around you – other mothers, wives, colleagues, family – stop for a moment and remember who you are… remind yourself that what you have to offer is something that is unique to you.

Only you can say it…

Only you can do it…

Only you can fulfill it!

You are good enough, talented enough, strong enough, smart enough, mom enough, wife enough, providing enough, valuable enough… you are more than enough because you are you.

~ Dear Jesus, empower each woman reading this today! Remind them of their worth! Remind them of their purpose! Remind them that they are special and valuable and more than enough to carry out the call and plan You have placed on their life. We thank you for this assurance we have in You… for the boldness You so freely give to your daughters. Your mighty daughters who You are rising up to be more than conquerors… In Jesus Mighty Name, amen.

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/10/you-are-more-than-enough/feed/17408Writing a Serieshttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/writing-a-series/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/writing-a-series/#commentsFri, 27 Sep 2013 04:00:27 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7344 I call myself a Lifestyle blogger. That’s undercover blogger code for my blog is a mixed bag and I don’t fit into any other niche. I blog about what God is doing in my heart and how my kid’s teach me that love is an action word. I blog day-to-day, one story at a ... Continue Reading...]]>

I call myself a Lifestyle blogger. That’s undercover blogger code for my blog is a mixed bag and I don’t fit into any other niche.

I blog about what God is doing in my heart and how my kid’s teach me that love is an action word. I blog day-to-day, one story at a time.

Since I tend to be a fly by the seat of my pants kind of blogger, I thought I would hate writing on a specific topic, but I surprised myself. I actually enjoyed the discipline of it all.

Discipline leads to accomplishment.

Shocking, I know.

Many bloggers have even turned their 31 Day series into e-books.

I know what you’re thinking – 31 days is a long to commit to one topic.

And you’re right. It is a long time, especially if you’ve never done it before.

I’d like to challenge you though. Maybe you want to start small with a week-long series, or perhaps you want to commit to twenty-one days. Whatever the length of time you decide, stretch yourself and write on one topic.

You’ll be surprised how writing on a limited subject will draw out your creativity and force you to think about your subject in ways you’ve never considered.

Benefits of writing a series on one topic:

You will attract new readers.

You will learn discipline in writing/blogging.

You will stretch yourself.

You will be forced to reach for a new kind of creativity.

You will have written an entire series, perhaps the basis of a future book.

Sometimes it is very good for us to get out of our comfort zone. It’s not always easy and we may not even enjoy it at the time, but it helps grow us.

Maybe your blog is in a bit of a rut, the same old thing on repeat week after week.

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/writing-a-series/feed/57344Date Night Stylehttp://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/date-night-style/
http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/date-night-style/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2013 04:00:22 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7270Before I was married to my husband, I would buy a new outfit every time we went someplace nice, and “someplace nice” could mean anything from a museum to a burger joint. I wanted to look my best. Then I got married, had a couple of kids, and became emotionally attached to a pair of ... Continue Reading...]]>

Before I was married to my husband, I would buy a new outfit every time we went someplace nice, and “someplace nice” could mean anything from a museum to a burger joint. I wanted to look my best.

Then I got married, had a couple of kids, and became emotionally attached to a pair of stretched out yoga pants and a fuzzy pink bathrobe.

Now, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, I make an effort to get dressed every day. Once in a while, I even put on a dress, but there’s a difference between getting ready for the mom routine and getting dressed up for your man.

I knew I was trouble when not long ago, we went to a funeral and my husband commented about how nice I looked and how we should get dressed up and go out more often.

I’m so glad I was struck with a moment of good sense and made the relatively small investment. After all, before we were married, I would have spent $114 dollars on a dress and not have thought twice about it.

Every once in a while, I can still look nice for my husband.

You can look nice for yours too!

If you really don’t have the money for a new outfit, try borrowing an outfit from a friend or dig that pretty dress out from the deep recesses of your closet. It’s ok if it’s old. The idea is to look pretty and you can do that in something old, something new, something borrowed, or maybe even something blue.

]]>http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/09/date-night-style/feed/07270Hoola for Happiness!http://fancylittlethings.com/2013/08/hoola-for-happiness/
Tue, 27 Aug 2013 03:59:35 +0000http://fancylittlethings.com/?p=7088It is with great pleasure and joy that I get to introduce Carissa Caricato, founder of Hoola for Happiness to Fancy Little Things. When I was reading and researching new fitness trends, Hoola Hooping fitness was a top new trend. I was so excited to find, right here in my own city, one of the ... Continue Reading...]]>

It is with great pleasure and joy that I get to introduce Carissa Caricato, founder of Hoola for Happiness to Fancy Little Things. When I was reading and researching new fitness trends, Hoola Hooping fitness was a top new trend. I was so excited to find, right here in my own city, one of the nation’s leading teachers! While writing and working with Abby Albaum, I learned about Hoola for Happiness and what Carissa was doing around the world with just a hoola hoop! I was so moved by the video of her work and mission that I wanted to share it. Here is her story and journey to change the world.

When thinking of the title of this blog, Fancy Little Things, it reminds me of one of my favorite verses, how God uses the little simple things for His glory.

I think this about two things: my life and the hoop.

God has picked up the pieces of my broken life; a life lived foolishly running from God for nine years, caught in the bondage of addiction, unfulfilling relationships and an unhealthy zest for the crazy. Jesus made me whole, set me free and gave me the gift of hoop dance. I asked God to give me the world as my playground, full of adventures for His glory, and He has answered that dream through an international ministry (based in Tampa, Florida) called Hoola for Happiness (http://www.hoolaforhappiness.org/).

Our team of hoop missionaries (called Joy Spreaders) travel with 5-color Hoola for Life gospel hoops all over the world to teach hoop dance and share God’s love to the least, lost and last. God’s heart yearns to have a personal relationship with all people of every nation, and He has a special heart for the simple little ones, the children, the disabled, the blind, the deaf, the forgotten, the abused, the broken, the humble and the weak. We believe the hoop dance is for everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, sex, or dance ability. This is the same as the love of God. We were all created to worship, dance and love God!

The hoop may seem like just a silly child’s toy, but it is an incredibly powerful “joy magnet” for transcending language barriers, introducing joy where hope has been lost, creating pockets of light in darkness, and releasing freedom for bodies and souls. Our hoops have made their way with volunteers to 34 countries in three years, as of August 2013. We now have 21 Joy Spreaders in various parts of the world who are using the hoop as a way to reach out in love and joy to their community.

Our location in São Paulo, Brazil, “Bambole para Alegria,” is on fire! We will be leading a team back to Brazil in September 2013 for 6 weeks of dance conferences and outreach, training new Joy Spreaders around the country to lead local hoop projects, with a dream of sending hoop missionaries from Brazil all over the world.

We currently have teams with hoops in:

Israel

Cambodia

Thailand

Honduras

India

Nepal

Fiji

Kona, Hawaii

lots of places around the USA!!!

Please pray for upcoming projects & dreams for:

Brazil

Ukraine

Scotland

Albania

Afghanistan

Haiti

India

Abu Dhabi

Thailand

Myanmar

Philippines

Guatemala

We are currently praying and raising money and a team of dancers to spend several months in India starting dance movement therapy programs in aftercare homes for young girls rescued from the sex trafficking industry.

God has called us to be dancing missionaries in every place we find ourselves.

Dancing through the journey requires boldness. We cannot be afraid to bust out Jesus or the hoops whenever and wherever.

Want in on our adventure?! There are 3 ways to help…

Pray for the whole world to learn about Abundant Life and Abundant Joy in Christ, and that hoops will make their way to the ends of the earth with this message.

Become a monthly donor here. Partner with us in finances to support a particular project or country. Or come with us!

Introduce us to mission trip groups, youth pastors, missions staff or international nonprofits that would be interested in buying Hoola for Life bulk orders (50 travel Hoola for Life hoops) to take around the world to spread joy and share the Good News!

After my first life-changing, heart-awakening trip to Haiti in January 2009, I started taking hoop dance classes with the Hoola Monsters. When I took a bunch of travel hoops back to Haiti for Christmas in 2009, they were a magical way to interact with the kids (and adults) everywhere! I fell in love, with hooping, Haiti, the contagious joy of the children, but more importantly, with Jesus and His love for the whole world.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, God began to shake and move my world around. After two more trips to Haiti and lots of divine stories, I started Hoola for Happiness in July 2010 to spread the joy of hooping and the love of God all over the world through hooping projects and partnerships. I quit my nonprofit marketing job at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay after 3.5 years there to pursue Jesus’ call on my life to focus on Hoola for Happiness full time.